Risk factors

Although attempted suicide is more frequent for women, men are more likely than women to complete suicide because they typically use more-effective methods, such as a firearm.

You may be at risk of suicide if you:

Feel hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated or lonely

Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, military service, a breakup, or financial or legal problems

Have a substance abuse problem — alcohol and drug abuse can worsen thoughts of suicide and make you feel reckless or impulsive enough to act on your thoughts

Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home

Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder

Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or violence, including physical or sexual abuse

Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain or terminal illness

Are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender with an unsupportive family or in a hostile environment

Attempted suicide before

Children and teenagers

Suicide in children and teenagers often follows stressful life events. What a young person sees as serious and insurmountable may seem minor to an adult — such as problems in school or the loss of a friendship. In some cases, a child or teen may feel suicidal due to certain life circumstances that he or she may not want to talk about, such as:

Having a psychiatric disorder, including depression

Loss or conflict with close friends or family members

History of physical or sexual abuse

Problems with alcohol or drugs

Physical or medical issues, for example, becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection

Being the victim of bullying

Being uncertain of sexual orientation

Reading or hearing an account of suicide or knowing a peer who died by suicide

Murder and suicide

In rare cases, people who are suicidal are at risk of killing others and then themselves. Known as a homicide-suicide or murder-suicide, some risk factors include:

History of conflict with a spouse or romantic partner

Current family legal or financial problems

History of mental health problems, particularly depression

Alcohol or drug abuse

Having access to a firearm — nearly all murder-suicides are committed using a gun

Starting antidepressants and increased suicide risk

Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the Food and Drug Administration requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings, the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed.

However, keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood.

The relationship between bullying and suicide: What we know and what it means for schools. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/. Accessed April 9, 2015.

Connecting the dots: An overview of the links among multiple forms of violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/connecting_dots.html. Accessed April 9, 2015.

Suicide: Taking care of yourself and your family after an attempt (Family guide). National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Issue_Spotlights&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=24452. Accessed April 9, 2015.

Suicide: Taking care of yourself after an attempt (Individual guide). National Alliance on Mental Illness. http://www2.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Issue_Spotlights&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=24452. Accessed April 9, 2015.

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